Have you ever hit the proverbial wall while working at your desk and thought your mind was foggy and you are about to fall asleep at any moment (5 foods to beat afternoon fatigue)?
For some this is a regular occurrence on any given workday. However instead of reaching for your 4th coffee or that very unhealthy energy drink it may be a good idea to consider alternative healthy options to solve this problem.
One solution is to eat some of these healthy energy foods to keep your energy levels up and your mind clear.
1. Healthy, Complex Carbs
One way to bring some more energy into your life is by eating some of these good complex carbs listed below to provide your body with long lasting energy.
- Peas
- Quinoa
- Lentils
- Brown Rice
- Pumpernickel
- Beans
- Peas
- Whole wheat bread, tortillas, and pitas
However before you go out and eat a lot of these complex carbs you need to remember portion control as too much of anything is a bad idea. All the extra carbs that your body cannot process will turn into fat so its important to eat a proper portion.
2. Eggs
Eggs are a great way to get energy from the protein it provides your body. It isn’t your normal preferred source of fuel as carbs have that honor but protein provides a slower and longer lasting source of energy than provided by carbohydrates.
One egg provides you with roughly 6g of protein and the essential amino acids you need.
3. Iron-Rich Foods
Another way to keep your body energized is by eating foods that are high in iron.
If you have low levels of iron in your body you can feel tired and faint like you are going to pass out right on your desk.
Good options for nutritional sources of iron include:
- 3 ounces dark chocolate – 7 mg / 39% DV
- 3 ounces cooked oysters – 8 mg / 44% DV
- 1 cup white beans – 8 mg / 44% DV
- 1/2 cup boiled lentils – 3 mg / 17% DV
- 1 ounce pumpkin seeds – 4 mg / 23% DV
4. B Vitamins
Sometimes you may feel like you are in a sluggish slump. It is possible that your body is running low on B vitamins. B vitamins help breakdown foods and help turn them into useful energy for your body and therefore it is argued to be one of the most important vitamins.
There are various B Vitamins that accomplish various tasks.
- B1 (thiamine)
- B2 (riboflavin)
- B3 (niacin)
- B5 (pantothenic acid)
- B6
- B7 (biotin)
- B12
- Folic acid
These vitamins are water soluble and therefore it means your body doesn’t store them. Because of this reason it is important to make sure you have proper levels of B vitamins on a daily basis.
5. Lean Pork
Lean Pork in particularly high in thiamine (B1) which is great for giving your body a boost of energy to keep you sharp throughout the day.
B1 also helps strengthen your immune system which helps you fight off and stay away from sickness. Additionally it helps your body with its ability to withstand stressful situations which can also lead to sickness and fatigue.